Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigeis addressing the recent controversy surrounding the release strategy forShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Two days before the film’s Hollywood premiere on Monday,Simu Liupostedan impassioned statement on social media, seemingly taking aim at Disney CEOBob Chapekfor calling the film’s release “an interesting experiment.”
During the premiere Monday, Feige toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat Liu is “not a shy man.”
“I think in that particular tweet you can see — and I think everyone does — a misunderstanding,” he said. “It was not the intention. The proof is in the movie, and we swing for the fences as we always do. With the amount of creative energy we put in and the budget, there’s no expense spared to bring this origin story to the screen.”
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Chapek went on to call the release “another data point” after releasing such films asJungle Cruise,Black Widow, andCruellasimultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, Liu posted on social media: “Weare not an experiment.”
“We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise,” the actor wrote. “I’m fired the f— up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US.”
Liu’s post, which included behind-the-scenes photos from the upcoming Marvel blockbuster, was met with praise from friends and fans.
“Let’s f—in' goooooo,” wroteGood TroublestarSherry Cola. “I’ll be there!“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’sVincent Rodriguez IIIcommented.Chrishell Stausealso responded with the “100” emoji.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsis making history as the first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with an Asian lead and a predominantly Asian cast. It’s earned praise as a welcome form of representationamid rising hate crimesagainst the AAPI community during the pandemic.
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Liu previously spoke to PEOPLE about making history in the MCU and joining the Avengers. “I’m excited and I think for all of the good and the bad of what’s to come, it’s definitely a journey that Ifeel very privileged to be going on,” he said in May.
“I know how much it would’ve meant to kids and to myself as a kid seeing this when I was younger. I totally understand the importance of it,” Liu added. “I know that it’s not going to be easy, but at the same time, I feel so incredibly excited to be a part of this movement that gets to push society forward… It gets to deepen the conversation, it gets to normalize seeing Asian faces on screen and hearing Asian voices and our stories.”
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Liu plays Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist, who has been trained as an assassin since childhood. After leaving the Ten Rings organization to pursue a normal life in San Francisco, he’s forced to confront his past once again. Liu stars alongsideAwkwafina,Michelle Yeoh, andBenedict Wong.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsis in theaters on Sept. 3.
source: people.com
